ItsBrian

@@qwazse I have two special needs in my troop, one in a wheel chair and one with another disorder (not saying for his sake). It is hard to adjust and learn what to do, what to say. It was annoying how Council didn’t have any info sessions or talked about it during round tables.

Honestly, this is a big issue for me. I don't think councils provide enough resources. Yes, they may give you some packets, but how helpful is that actually? As I said in other posts, I worked at a day camp for cub scouts. I received a good 5-minute training, the council rep only read it from a piece of paper. I ended up having at least four special needs kids in my groups over the summer. 

My council's roundtable voted about topics that they can present. Not a single one to provide information for troops about for special needs scouts. I see so many troops having issues with special needs kids since they have no idea what to do, half the time the parent isn't any help. 

How do you guys feel about this?

I'm pretty sure Loomie is talking about the other kind of "doubling up." He's not talking about multiple jobs per person, he's talking about multiple persons in certain jobs.

Yeah, he's talking about trying to have every First Class+ in a job, from what I understand.

In summary, SM is an ass. 

 

Greatest summary ever.

I agree I would've handled it the same way. I would actually have him follow-up with parents saying that they can finish it with your council's merit badge counselors. Merit badges aren't the troop responsibility. Great if your troop does have times where they focus on a merit badge (mine does sometimes too). But, parents need to understand if they don't finish it it's the scout's responsibility, not the parents.

Correcting my post two ago: 

Yelling is still not the best but will get their attention. I would say the time to yell is IF it the scout is doing something dangerous to himself or others.. ex: kids injuring each other...

I didn't mean if they are running for no reason yell at them.

Sorry for the confusion!

Yelling... Not good. If you have to yell, you've lost control, you're setting a poor example.  Ask a new first year teacher and an experienced one about yelling.

I find it "telling" there is no mention of the Webelos Den Leader in the  original post, ie lack of leadership. Do the Webelois have a good program to keep them busy, ie "idle hands..."?

Re the one boy in particular being trouble, different Scout leaders have their own limits with how much to put up with... but if you going to suspend or expel, do it now at the start of Scouting/School year.

Yelling is not always the best thing to do, yes. But, yelling does have its pro and cons. It doesn’t always mean you’re a poor example, it could just be the way you are. Yelling has kids understand because they know they are in trouble.

FYI: this is all based on my experience this summer with a camp director of a day camp for cub scouts

It could be worse timing. And $33 is not bad considering everything. I'm good with it. I think this isn't such a big deal.

@@vumbi I'm good with it too, not a big deal. Scouting is expensive but is a great time.

@@Snow Owl  My troop has always collected dues the calendar year. I haven't heard of many troops around me that follow the academic year.

I’ve read this from other places, but maybe is a possibly that National has let councils decide on fees? Or that councils are just releasing it early.

@any mod

How come it's not letting me upload a profile pic? The arrows keep loading in a circle for the past 5 minutes.

Update: I created a gravatar instead. 

Also, it is COMPLETELY okay to yell or raise your voice. The camp director had yelled at a good four-five kids daily for their behavior. It's how you have to get your point across to them.

Hi, welcome ( I'm new myself)!

I worked with Cub Scouts at a day camp for the summer. They are honestly a pain, but fun. To have them listen, you should give a reward. When I was a cub scout, my den leaders would sometimes bring snacks in at the end of meetings for behaving, etc.

Ex: Amount of something done rewarded with a snack.

Who doesn't love food?

Also what I learned this summer is that you're going to have to repeat yourself over and over and over again.

The best thing you can do. Get parents involved! Host an information meeting explaining how X amount of parents are required to stay at each meeting. When I was a Den Chief, there were always four parents sitting in the back, even if they didn't do much, their kids knew "Wait, my mom is here, I can't do this".

Maybe you can include some type of rewarding system? Ex: Helping an adult without asking, helping a scout with asking, etc. 

I have more help if you would like, just let me know!

@@ItsBrian, FYI, when I was a scout, we held pancake breakfasts, and the older scouts ran the kitchen, doing all the cooking. Parents kept scarce except for the charter org rep who made sure everything was working for us and the SM.

Yeah, that's what I mean by like a holiday-themed breakfast. Unfortunately, due to health codes in my town, the adults are required to do the cooking. I actually like when the parents get involved, to provide more support. I usually ask two-three parents to help, alongside the SM and two ASMs.

@@qwazse Thanks!

There many positions in scouting. Here are a few.

• Senior Patrol Leader  
• Assistant Senior Patrol Leader
• Patrol Leader
• Troop Guide
• Quartermaster
• Scribe
• Den Chief
• Chaplain Aide
• Historian
• Instructor
• Librarian
• Webmaster
• Order of the Arrow Representative
• Outdoor Ethics Guide
• Junior Assistant Scoutmaster

Linked to descriptions of each.

Den Chiefs - If you have a Pack that is with your Troop you can easily have them take a training, and place a scout in each den. I was a den chief for a few years, it's not difficult, it's just like being an instructor or guide.

Asst. Senior Patrol Leaders - My troop doesn't personally do this, but an idea I've had, having the ASPLs have a certain job, such as one for training, fundraising, meetings, etc. Not sure if that's allowed, would check with your local council. 

Instructors, Guides, Historians, Webmasters, JASMS - You can easily have at least two-three each for these positions if you have a big troop. 

I agree with SSScout, my Scoutmaster tells me it comes School, Religion, THEN Scouts. In my opinion, it is wrong to just leave without any notice, out of the blue. But, if you talk to the PLC, Scoutmaster, ASMs, etc. and have another plan and make sure the ASPL can take over I don't see what is wrong. I've had friends who joined religious youth groups too, my troop supported them. It depends on the Scoutmaster I guess as well.

Nobody's posted here for a little so...

My troop has about 5 fundraisers a year. We are only a small group of 12, with 4 adult leaders.

We have fundraisers that sound difficult but are extremely simple.

We do two clothing drives, two craft shows/flea markets, and an easter bunny breakfast.

The clothing drives are extremely simple to do. You schedule a meeting with a company who pays per pound of clothes. My Troop has made 1000+ from it once. It depends on how many donate, so advertise well. Invest in yard signs, papers in public business, etc. You unload their car, give them a tax receipt, and they're on their way. It is extremely easy, especially for a small troop.

Flea Markets... not completely easy, but as long as you have a team of people with experience in fundraising. If you do have one, do not call it a flea market, call it like "Holiday Bazaar", "Craft Show / Flea Market", something to appeal to others. Flea Market means to some people garage sale junk. 

Breakfasts are really simple, have three-four parents in the kitchen (use your charters space if possible) and then buy in bulk pancake mix (you can make waffles with it too) and have scouts wait around the tables. Buffet style can cost you more money, offer two pancakes or one waffle, drink, and a piece of sausage.

If you have any questions feel free to ask!

Good luck!

Try not to stress about it!

@ welcome to scouter.com

 

100% agree prepare your worksite before crew arrives.

100% family funding of your project is allowed, but remember you are part of your family. Your monetary contribution could be from money earned from jobs, returning recyclables, selling some of your possessions - an old bike, video games.

 

My advice:

   Establish your priorities - family, school,..., Eagle Project...

   Decide how much time you can spend and when, decide on a project that could fit within those time bounds and your budget.

   You can be just as passionate and satisfied with a small, low-cost Eagle project as with a large, expensive Eagle project.

  

My $0.02

I agree completely with you too. My project is averaging 350.. which is not much at all compared to others. I've requested many grants from companies and requested donations in person. 

Thanks for the help!

Those are some good lessons you have learned.

 

Since you are already into your project, you may not find these helpful, but others following you might.

• Choose something that you are passionate about to work on - if you love what you are doing it will be easier to drive through the tough parts
• Start thinking about your project early. Having some solid ideas before you even hit Life is a good thing. You should not start working it though. wait until you hit Life and get approval.
• What you end up doing may not be your 1st, 2nd or even 10th idea. Don't stress about it, you will figure it out.
• If you ar 15 or 16 don't put it off. You will end up being rushed at the end. If you are a little younger you can wait a bit, but not too long.

 

For where you are now...

• You absolutely should not do it ALL on your own. A big part of your Eagle project is about leadership and planning. Get advice, opinions, feedback..... but you need to take all of the advice and turn it into a project. Learning to delegate task is also part of leadership.
• Planning - you need to think about every aspect of the project (and it looks like you are doing so). Little things matter. Think about not just what needs to be done, but how it is going to be done, who is doing what, what they will need (including food and water), think about what will make the project fail and have a contingency plan. Think about how to mitigate possible problems. And record all of that in your notes and in the plan.
• As for parents paying for everything.... remember a Scout is thrifty. Think about what things in your project you can do without spending money or as least not as much money. See if you can build or make something you might otherwise buy. For example, a construction site or lumber yard may have wood scraps that you can use. Try getting donations where you can but also consider a fund raiser to help pay for what you need. While your parents may be able to pay for it, it says a lot to your EBOR if you made it happen without their needing to fund it.
• Relax and enjoy it. Sure there is a lot to do, but don't let it stress you out. Tackle each problem and move on to the next. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event so you should enjoy it too.

Good luck and have fun!

Thanks for the tips!

Hi,

First post, new to the forum.

I'm currently doing my Eagle Scout Project and let me say, it isn't as easy as you think. My project is quite simple but raising the money is the most challenging part. 

What do you guys think about parents funding a whole project? 

Anyway,

Some tips I'm learning...

1. Don't wait till after you finish to fill out the Plan section in the workbook!

2. Apply for A LOT grants, you won't get some, MANY companies offer them... I have just received a $75 gift card from a grocery store... 

3. Ask for help while planning, you'll need it.

4. Get to your "worksite" EARLY don't be setting up as volunteers come. Sidenote: I volunteered at one in my Troop recently, and he had to keep going home and it was a big mess. 

5. No one ever said you can't have help, some may say it has to be ALL you, but ask your parents for help even if they aren't involved in scouting. My mom has helped me find places to request donations.

6. Factor in purchasing food and water for your volunteers.

7. If you need to apply to grants and get donations, do it AT LEAST 6 weeks in advance of when you want the materials. That is my mistake I didn't do.

Let me know what you guys think and if this helps!